A cock is the male of any type of domestic fowl, and cockfighting is a blood sport in which two (or more) cocks are placed in a ring or confined area and encouraged to attack or fight each other. Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia—but remains legal in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Although cockfighting is illegal in all states, the potential punishment for the crime varies from state to state. In thirteen states, a first offense charge of cockfighting is a misdemeanor—including Alabama, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. But in California, Louisiana, and New Mexico, second, third, and subsequent offenses may be prosecuted as felonies.

And some states also prohibit possession of cockfighting tools (implements) such as a gaff or slasher; ownership and training of cocks for the purpose of cockfighting; and attending cockfighting events.
Cockfighting laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—and usually in the state’s penal or criminal code.

In South Carolina (SC), cockfighting is considered illegal and is classified as a misdemeanor for a first offense. This aligns with the state's stance on animal cruelty and the prohibition of animal fighting. South Carolina law specifically outlaws not only the act of cockfighting but also the possession of birds for fighting, the possession of cockfighting implements, and being a spectator at a cockfighting event. The relevant laws can be found within the state's penal or criminal code, which detail the penalties and fines associated with these offenses. Repeat offenses may carry more severe penalties, and the law is designed to deter individuals from engaging in or facilitating this blood sport. It's important to note that while the initial charge for cockfighting in South Carolina is a misdemeanor, the state may impose stricter consequences for subsequent violations.